This will be my third year overwintering dahlias in pots and this is the method that is both the easiest and has had a 100% success rate for me.
Pre-sprouting dahlias video: • How I Pre-Sprout My Da...
Here are the steps I take:
1. Wait until a killing frost and let foliage stand for two more weeks if possible based on temperature. Temps below 35F can kill tubers, so move inside before then.
2. Cut the stalks back to a few inches above the soil.
3. Remove the top inch of soil to try to prevent hundreds of flies from hatching in your house
4. Bring the pots into a protected area, like a garage or shed. Somewhere that will stay between 40-50 degrees is ideal.
5. Water only if necessary. Tubers in soil can hold onto moisture. I only watered once last winter when I stored them in grow bags and plastic pots retain much more moisture compared to grow bags.
6. In the spring, move them inside your home to pre-sprout (video linked above)
7. Once shoots start appearing, water and put in front of a window or other light source
8. Move them outdoors after last frost
9. I'll also add a layer of compost at the top of the pot to add nutrients to the soil
Let me know how you store your dahlia tubers!
For daily garden and houseplant updates, follow me on Instagram @chicagogardener
14 ноя 2023
